Frog Hollow - Hartford, CT

In the mid-19th century, Frog Hollow rapidly transformed from a farming community to a frenetic industrial center packed with factory workers. As more businesses sprung up on Rifle Lane — now known as Capitol Avenue — developers expanded the residential areas to support the growing population of immigrant workers.

The neighborhood's economic makeup shifted again during the Great Depression, leading to massive industrial migration. Frog Hollow's classic row houses and brick factory buildings add to the neighborhood's historic charm, and living close to downtown also puts residents at the center of cultural events. Spend your New's Year Eve watching live music and fireworks at Hartford's annual First Night celebration, and grab a seat at the Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival to see dramatic performances of Christmas-themed events. Keep your schedule packed with eclectic entertainment, including car shows to European food festival to jazz shows.

Frog Hollow's large Latino community heavily influences the local dining scene around Park Street and Capitol Avenue. Load up on comfort food at classic American restaurants or take your pick of South American, Mexican and Caribbean cuisine.

Located minutes from the Capitol building, Firebox restaurant and tavern introduces eager diners to fresh ingredients sourced directly from American farmers. From the house-made fettuccine to the black pearl salmon, every dish showcases a diverse blend of seasonal flavors. Locals suggest starting your meal with a Connecticut-themed artisan cheese plate, and finishing with an indulgent deconstructed s'more. Meat lovers sample the charcuterie platter to complement their craft beer or cocktails when ordering from the tavern menu.

Get authentic Mexican guacamole, tamales and giant burritos drizzled with salsa verde at El Sarape, a modest neighborhood cantina with brightly colored décor and a small selection of ethnic groceries. Seating is limited, but you can watch the day's telenovelas or sip horchata while waiting for your mole enchiladas and queso flameado — sizzling chorizo and cheese — to come out of the kitchen.

Locals say the family-owned eatery Broasterant cooks up the area's best chicken in Hartford. The pressure-fried broasting method keeps meat juicy and tender inside the crispy, grease-free skin, and the restaurant's exposed kitchen lets you see fresh orders whipped up before your eyes.

Downtown nightlife provides entertaining distraction for Frog Hollow residents who love dancing to live music, sipping cocktails in swanky lounges or catching the latest Hollywood flicks. Buy concert tickets for popular music acts at the legendary Webster Theater in neighboring Barry Square, or see indie talent at the Webster's Underground. For a late-night drink, stop by the bar at Red Rock Tavern on Capitol Avenue, or Max Downtown on Asylum Street.

Frog Hollow's urbanized layout and downtown proximity accommodate locals who like to travel on foot. For longer trips, CT Transit buses 31, 33 and 63 all service the neighborhood and drive near Pope Park.

While designated biking lanes aren't common, you can safely ride on many of the residential streets. Free parking is also easy to find close to homes, but be prepared to pay parking meters in commercial areas around downtown Hartford.

When you need to cruise out of the city, you can reach Routes 84 and 45 from west Frog Hollow to commute to West Hartford, East Hartford, Manchester or Farmington. You may need to walk downtown to hail a cab, but taxi services are readily available in the area, so you can easily arrange a ride through Uber or local cab companies.

The state capital has a reputation to uphold, so parks in central Hartford cater to residents' outdoor pursuits and attracting newcomers to these strategically planned scenic spaces. Only one park lies completely within Frog Hollow, but a quick walk outside the neighborhood gives you access to two of the city's most popular parks.

Green fields, lush trees and a sparkling pond cover the 79-acres of Pope Park in southwest Frog Hill, providing a tranquil backdrop for a morning jog or a game of ultimate frisbee. Bring the kids or the dog to this free park, which features an outdoor and indoor pool, picnic tables and sports facilities for soccer, basketball, baseball and softball. Let the kids burn energy on the playscape, or stop by the park during summer carnival for amusement rides and games.

Just north of Frog Hill, Bushnell Park welcomes you to the capital with its grand performance pavilion, renovated pond and historic statues and memorial sculptures. Parents round up the family to ride the park's historic carousel or see concerts and plays at the pavilion. Make time to hit the ice at the free skating rink during the winter. Skate rentals are free, and you can snap photos of the kids sharing their wish lists with Santa.

The tip of Rocky Ridge Park intersects Frog Hill's south border. Once a quarry, this 22-acre park provides a cozy place to kick back or satisfy your daily cardio fix. Football and softball fields give you space to walk or launch a game of dodgeball, and kids can come up with imaginative ways to jump, swing and hang from the playground equipment.

In Frog Hollow, average expenses are similar to other areas of Hartford, but prepare for slightly higher housing costs. When hunting for an apartment, expect a median rent of $961 for a one-bedroom space.

Frog Hollow is conveniently adjacent to downtown Hartford, making public transportation optional, but unnecessary. If you need to run errands around the city, a $3 bus pass covers your transportation costs for the whole day. Plan to pay gas prices approximately 11 percent higher than the national average when filling your tank, and sample the beer selection at local pubs for about $5 a pint.

Frog Hollow entrepreneurs open their boutiques and specialty stores on Arbor Street and Park Street. While few chain stores populate the neighborhood, small businesses in the area provide high-value shopping for home goods, tools, clothing and everything else you need.

Style-savvy guys head to Fashion Box for sleek suits, trendy dress shoes and casual sweaters, while Hartford Denim Company supplies heavy-duty work jeans and accessories for locals working in demanding environments. Redecorate your bedroom or update your coffee table with affordable furniture from Ikasa, and take your bike for a tune-up at Daily Rider.

Check off your grocery list at Save-A-Lot by Pope Park, or travel a few minutes outside of Frog Hollow to Stop & Shop or C-Town. If you cook Latin-inspired cuisine, visit the many small Spanish markets that populate the entire neighborhood. Cool off with an Italian ice as you search for the perfect tomato at the Billings Forge Farmers' Market downtown, or take a quick trip to Asylum Hill to get your fresh foods at West End Farmer's Market.